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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where is Mrs. Fielding's husband?

2. Who is Ponto?

3. With what event does the arrival coincide?

4. What kind of meeting does Maturin have that morning?

5. What is happening to many of Aubrey's best men?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the men that respond to Captain Aubrey's summons appear?

2. Who do Aubrey and his crew meet in Mubara and what does he tell them?

3. What does Aubrey find when he checks on his crew?

4. How does Ponto's behavior set people to gossiping?

5. How does one gain rank in the British navy and why is that a problem right now for Aubrey?

6. Describe the situation at the opening of Treason's Harbour.

7. Where do Aubrey and Maturin encounter each other and why is Maturin there?

8. Why is the Dromedary early and what is the effect of that?

9. What does Aubrey decide to do about waiting until the end of Ramadan?

10. What is it like in Malta and why does that not cheer up the British officers?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Captain Jack Aubrey is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in Treason's Harbour and in the others in the series. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable. Is it a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and does not succeed?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Aubrey who you might call a hero or heroine and explain why you choose that person.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Maturin acts as a covert agency for the Crown and has become involved with helping Mrs. Fielding, who has been "forced" into spying in order to protect her husband.

1. What sort of covert operations does Maturin undertake? How similar do you think his covert operations are to that of an organization such as the CIA of today?

2. How much does Maturin's covert operations effect good outcomes for the British during Treason's Harbour? How is Matruin unable to use his covert operations to "save the day" in the pursuit of the treasure ship?

3. Do you see any conflict of interests between being a doctor and also a covert operator? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 3

Aubrey is an officer and a gentleman and is therefore accorded more respect and trust even in enemy territory than the common sailor. Discuss the following:

1. Does it seem likely that officers are usually more respectable than enlisted men back then? What about today? Why or why not.

2. Aubrey wants to have an adulterous affair with Mrs. Fielding. Do you think this is how an officer and gentleman comports himself? Why or why not?

3. In the present military in the United States, both officers and enlisted can be held for court martial for adultery or having sexual relations with someone of inferior rank. Why do you think this is so? Do you agree with the policy?

4. In the time in which Treason's Harbour is set, an officer's word was assumed to always be good; whereas a non-officer was not considered trustworthy. What is the flaw in this standard? Do you think it affects their morals and the morals of non-officers? How?

(see the answer keys)

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